Toddler/Preschool (Ages 1 - 5)
Check-ups continue to be a very important of your child's life in this stage.
Important lab tests and screenings are performed, which are more fully explained below.
At the 12-month and 15-month visit, we continue to document feeding and sleeping habits. At the 12-month visit we also test for Turberculosis in addition to the appropriate immunizations and will do a photoscreen to test your baby’s vision. For the 18-month visit, we ask that prior to your visit you complete an MCHAT questionnaire which screens for autism. We have the test in an online format which you can access by Clicking Here: MCHAT. The questionnaire’s responses are sent to our practice where it will be scored and reviewed with you at the visit.
We recommend you review the video that Dr. Larry Stiefel recorded on “Toilet Training” below. This video helps guide you in a) knowing whether your child is ready to be toilet trained, and b) once your child is ready, the video also describes techniques in making the experience successful and positive for ALL concerned!
Check-ups continue for age 2, 2 and a half, and then annually from age 3 – 6 with more lab tests, such as hemoglobins, urinalysis and cholesterol tests, being performed. These tests can all be done at the practice, or you can take your child to a lab as an option if your insurance does not cover in-house labs.
At age 3 we recommend your child’s eyesight be screened with the Pediavision, which we will do yearly. This is a tool that screens for common issues like eye muscle weakness and near sightedness, without the need for the child to read off letters or numbers. The video below demonstrates this device. If you choose to have your child go to an ophthalmologist instead, you should take him/her by age 4. At age 3 we also test your child’s hearing using a device that does not rely on your child’s cooperation, but tests the eardrum objectively.
At age 4, if toilet trained we will do a urine test along with the regular lab work. There are also pre-school immunizations to administer.
At age 5 we complete the series of all immunizations begun at infancy as well as the regular lab work.
Common Questions:
I am not sure whether to call a doctor or not?
Handling acute illnesses after hours is a major challenge in pediatrics. Parent Care offers clinical algorithms developed by experts in pediatric care to help parents determine when it is necessary to contact the doctor.
When is the best time to start toilet training my child?
This question is best answered by watching Dr. Larry Stiefel’s toilet training video by Clicking Here.